Full Service Pet Grooming: All Breeds Dogs & Cats

All dogs (and cats) agree: grooming shouldn't take all doggone day. Now you can get tender loving pet grooming, right at home. Most appointments take about an hour.

It doesn't matter if your dog's been frolicking in the mud, run into a skunk, or your cat has a nest of matted fur a rat would be proud of. Or maybe their breath is noxious, their nails are like daggers and they've left your furniture looking like it's grown a fur coat.

We've got your entire professional pet grooming needs covered, no matter what breed or size. Whether you've got a short fluffy darling like the Bichon, who has eyes for nobody but you, a Maine Coon cat that is willing to take on all comers, or a rugged 120 lb German Shepherd who loves to dig, chew and shed like mad.

Got a pet with arthritis, special health problems, or who is high strung (especially about baths)? All our groomers are trained in positive reinforcement techniques to meet your pet's special needs and earn their trust and cooperation fast. We guarantee you'll be happy with our results.

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Famous "Paws and Claws" Breakfast Buffet for people and their dogs. All dogs are welcome on the outside terrace. No dogs allowed inside the restaurant except for service dogs. A portion of the "Paws and Claws" Breakfast Buffet proceeds goes to the Greyhound Pets of America.

What can happen if my dog bites someone? I have been asked that question numerous times over the years. I will try to cover the most important facts in this brief article. Hopefully you will never be placed in this situation. After all…you are in control and as long as you pay attention to your dog’s behavior this will only be something you hear about that happens to other people and their dogs!

First, when a dog bites a person, three things happen simultaneously. A requirement to place the dog into a rabies quarantine to ensure that the dog could not transmit rabies to the bite victim; next, a determination is made on whether there is a justification for processing criminal charges (yes, it can be against the law for your dog to bite); and, finally, should the dog be declared a “Dangerous Dog” and either regulated or euthanized. I’m going to skip the rabies quarantine as that is a fairly simple process and is usually done while the dog remains at home. Don’t forget your civil liability too! That is when the victim might sue you in civil Court. You can lose your home over a dog bite.

Criminal Charges

Under County ordinances, it is illegal for a person to “fail to prevent” their dog from “biting or attacking” a person “engaged in lawful activity” (SDCC 62.669.1). Therefore, depending on how the bite occurred, it could be a violation of law. As an example, if a person is walking down the street and your dog is at large and bites the person, which is not only a leash law violation, but also a public protection from Dog’s violation. On the other hand, if a bad guy breaks into your home and your dog bites him, there is no violation because the victim was not “engaged in lawful activity.” Be sure you don’t confuse someone entering your property to approach your front door with an “unlawful act”. Just because someone comes onto your property that doesn’t mean you can hit him over the head with a base ball bat and it doesn’t give your dog permission to bite that person! These are both misdemeanors which could get you 6 months in jail and a $500.00 fine. But it can get worse! If your dog has bitten previously or you should have known your dog had a propensity to bite and he bites again causing substantial injury, under State law you could be charged with a felony.

Dangerous Dogs

County ordinance specifies that when a dog bites or attacks a person (engaged in lawful activity), twice in a four year period, that dog can be declared to be a “Dangerous Dog.” If, after investigation, it appears that the circumstances justify moving to declare a dog dangerous, the owner will be notified of the intent to do that and provided an opportunity for a hearing to determine whether the department can prove the allegation. If proven at hearing, the department normally imposes certain specific terms for the continued ownership of the dog. These terms typically include a requirement to maintain liability insurance; approved fencing; altering; special licensing; muzzling the dog when in public; and other similar requirements. However, in severe cases, especially when the owner has demonstrated an unwillingness or inability to safely keep the dog, the dog may be ordered to be euthanized. Luckily, this is rare.

The bottom line? It is your responsibility to keep your dog safe and not put your dog in a position where he/she thinks he/she must protect you or your property. If your dog bites someone, it is probably your fault. You either failed to take precautions or you placed your dog in a no-win situation. So be your dog’s guardian, and protect your dog. That’s your job!

Hi! Yep , it’s me Barkley again, Official PetLovers Gardening Consultant . Now that I’m in what many call those “golden years” [where do they get that?], I try to keep most of my entertainments easier and in closer proximity. As your dog or cat probably already knows and has mentioned to you in some way, this is not hard. There’s a lot happening right in your own back yard. Critters galore!

We’ve talked about the coyotes in past articles and how they’re still staking claims on what was once more their domains. But there’s skunks, possums, gophers, raccoons, field mice, rats, ground squirrels , not to mention those flying objects [ok, birds] that move in and out of your back yard premises at various times. Some are not too pesky. Some like possums who eat rats, mice, and snails, actually help rid you of other pests. Others can be smelly, dangerous and not to be trifled with.

Perhaps in early evenings, you’ve spotted some of these like skunks traipsing through your yard or raccoons climbing up one of your trees. Adorable as those baby raccoons look, both they and the mom have razor teeth, are very strong, and can become quite aggressive. I know when I hear them in the yard, I bark from a distance …looking out through the patio door. My human reports they can really hurt or even kill a pet. Best deterrents ARE to make sure all garbage is sealed and pet food is taken up. Raccoons can damage buildings and roofs so seal possible openings to attics and remove trees that give easy access. And skunks,? Well one whiff and you know the deal on letting your pet out to chase them out of the yard…not a good idea.

Perhaps the animals most discussed as on going back yard pests are the mice, rats, ground squirrels and my favorite ; gophers. Rats, ground squirrels and mice can chew your fruits, eat accessible outdoor wiring, sometimes enter your homes and make a general mess. As for gophers, they are the top scurge to the California gardener. You have no idea how many hours the Jack Russell and I have spent waiting and digging …and digging and waiting. Despite the fact we are both varmint dogs, there has been little gopher success. But it does pass the time.

One of the best all around rodent predators however is owls. California Fish and Game studies report that a single pair of barn owls can consume over 2000 rodents a year! Barn owl boxes can be readily purchased and installed in your back yard to naturally eliminate these pests. Some even come with infrared cameras so you can observe the baby owlets on your home tv or computer.

Observing the wildlife in your yard can be fun and keep you in touch with nature. BUT one thing to remember: Wild animals ARE actually wild. So no matter how cute and helpless looking one of these may appear, they will not make a good pet for your household. If you do find a hurt or abandoned animal such as these, for everyone’s sake, call a wildlife rescue organization such as those found on page 11 of this guide. They will provide the proper care and keep you all safe.

The SD County Master Gardener ‘s Hotlineat 858.694.2860 or website at www.MasterGardenersSan Diego.org can also provide a wealth of information on natural ways to deter animal pests in the garden.

The Canine Good Citizen status tells the public, your new landlord and/or maybe even your insurance company that your dog is a member of your family and as such has worked to become the best possible citizen one with four legs can imagine. As your dogs legal guardian so to speak, you promise to attend to their needs such as Health and Safety which includes vet check-ups, vaccinations, proper diet and exercise. You agree to maintain control over your pet and abide by leash laws as well as equipping them with I.D. for safe return if lost. You'll also respect the rights of others and do what is necessary to assure that your dog is not running loose or barking causing disturbances. And don't forget the dirty job of picking up after them and lessening their footprint on your environment.

Next you must review the list of 10 items you and your dog must pass in order to qualify and get the certification of distinction. Check out this link: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm If you've got them all down or need a little work to polish your dogs skills the next step is to find the right professional dog trainer which has the certification as Canine Good Citizen Evaluator to get the help or testing you may need. Check out this link to find one in your area: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/cgc_bystate.cfm

Soon with your leadership which includes basic obedience, attention and playtime you will have the balanced dog all your friends and neighbors wish they had.

“Article by Cathy Mayer owner of Take The Lead Canine Training” and “Susan Robertson Dog Training”

The word “allergy” is problematic because the symptoms you see aren’t always due to a true allergy. It’s estimated that only 10% of pets have true food allergies. Signs of a food allergy can include: itchy skin that doesn’t respond to steroids, recurrent ear and/or yeast infections, year-round symptoms, and digestive problems, including excessive bowel movements.

As our pets are exposed to an increasing amount of toxins such as poor quality diets, pesticides, herbicides, urban pollution, and over-vaccination we are seeing an increase in all kinds of immune system problems, including allergies. While we may not be able to control all of these factors we can control our pet’s diet. Unfortunately the diet may be causing some of the problems too.

Many other issues can cause similar symptoms: intestinal parasites, yeast, flea allergies, airborne allergies, contact allergies, chemical sensitivities, and more. Your pet may not have a true allergy, but a better diet is always going to improve their health, so the closer you get to fresh food the better.

Too many people spends hundreds and thousands of dollars getting skin or blood tests done to test for allergies, but the results aren’t always conclusive and may even give false results so many vets no longer recommend them. Many vets suggest that the only true test for food allergies is to eliminate the suspected ingredients for one to three months and see if symptoms subside, then reintroduce ingredients one by one to “test” them.

The best way to know exactly what is going into your pet is to feed fresh food. You may not need to do a strict elimination diet as some veterinarians suggest. Many animals improve on a fresh food diet that is not heavily restricted. You may still want to start with a simple formula of foods and see how they do for a month. You need to be sure you’re covering your pet’s basic nutritional needs, but it’s not as hard as you might think. Consulting with a holistic veterinarian or non-vet practitioner and reading a book about natural pet care and nutrition is important.

The liver is the most important organ of the body for maintaining health. It is responsible for metabolizing food and detoxifying the body. A healthy liver is key to the body’s ability to absorb nutrition, maintain a healthy immune system, and deal with toxins entering the body. Herbs are your best ally in improving the function of the liver, and there are reputable products available at natural pet markets and from your holistic vet that will improve your pet’s liver function.

It can take time for your pet’s system to adjust and start to get healthy, especially if there’s been chronic inflammation. Here are some additional tips to help you along the way:

Animals that exhibit symptoms like red skin will benefit from a diet that emphasizes “cooling foods.” Meats in this category include fish, duck, rabbit, and pork.

Including omega-3 fatty acids is important because of their anti-inflammatory properties.

Digestive enzymes and probiotics should be included in the diet of every pet suffering from allergy symptoms.

By Margarat Nee, Lead Educator at Dexter’s Deli and owner of The Art of Dog.

Taking Fido for a walk is GREAT exercise but most people need a little more to get a complete body workout, obtain better balance and flexibility, and get their heart rate elevated for a more efficient cardiovascular system. Below are 5 tips that you can do with your dog to prevent boredom, burn more calories, and gain more strength.

TIP 1: Make your dog’s walk a workout walk. Incorporate exercises along the way to help with your upper and lower body strength. A few ideas are pushups on park benches or tables, lunge walks, squats, step ups, and even tricep dips to prevent the “flabby arm syndrome”.

TIP 2: Pick up the pace--don't let Rover pull you all over! Let Fido do his/ her business in the first 5 minutes of your warm up and then it is time for you to be in control. Do a power walk or add sprints and/ or hills to burn more calories and get the heart rate elevated. This makes your heart work more efficiently in the long run.

TIP 3: Incorporate FIDO in your stretching and yoga. Your dog reads your energy, so at the end of the day try to do your stretches and be calm--your dog will follow suit. This is a good time to teach Fido the stay, sit, or down command.

TIP 4: Be creative with your exercise.Take your dog rollerblading, kayaking, hiking, surfing, biking, etc. Get out of the rut of just doing daily walks.

TIP 5: Always incorporate dog commands and games in your dog’s workout--the mental stimulation will tire them and you can have fun teaching them new things. It is NEVER too late to start teaching your dog new commands.

**As always please be a responsible parent and pick up after your dog!**

Of course if you do not have the time to work up a plan, why not try a Leash Your Fitness class or event? They do all of the above and more to keep you and your furry friend fit! Please visit www.LEASHYOURFITNESS.com or call 619-822-3296 to find out more!

Treats; they come in many shapes, sizes & flavors, but have you considered how they can affect your pet’s overall health? And, how can they be used to not only show your pet how much you love them, but actually improve your pet’s health?

First, let’s discuss: What IS a treat? Well, treats can be your typical biscuit or soft meaty morsels, but treats also include chews (ie: bully sticks), raw supplements like chicken necks, raw veggies, & even bones. Basically, anything that isn’t part of your pet’s daily diet.

Llike us, we have to be informed about everything our pets eat…not only because we are adding calories to their diet, but also because there may be ingredients in the treat that could conflict with a health concern you & your pet are attempting to manage with diet. Or, the treat or supplement may not be easily digested by your pet’s sensitive tummy.

First, let’s look at some specific examples of treats that may be harmful to your pet.

Rawhides: These are very difficult to digest and may create gastrointestinal upsets even if your pet doesn’t normally have a sensitive stomach.

Grains: Treats containing grains like wheat, corn or soy (although any grain can be a problem for some pets), should be avoided if your pet has a grain-allergy.

Foreign Sourced/Irradiated: Beware of treats that are “too good to believe”. We all know dogs love the meat strip treats, and we’re all trying to watch our budget, but you really do get what you pay for. Inexpensive treats made in countries that do not use strict processing standards or that are irradiated can be detrimental to your pet’s health.

OK, so now you ask,”Well, what are appropriate treats for my pet?”

Answer:

Limited Ingredients: Treats that contain a few, pure ingredients and meet the same criteria you hold dear for your pet’s daily diet; whether you’re controlling the fat content, eliminating specific ingredients, or using unique proteins. All meat treats, raw supplements & meaty bones, tendons instead of rawhides and yes, even veggies are all acceptable and even beneficial treats for your pet.For example, chicken necks and raw meaty bones are not only an excellent source of calcium, but are also a great way to maintain good dental health.

A good rule of thumb is to pick treats that have the fewest ingredients possible. If they have added glutens, soy protein isolates or other ingredients that you are unfamiliar with, just avoid them.

And, be inquisitive, call the companies and ask them where they get their ingredients. A lot of US based companiessource their ingredients from other countries to save costs. They can put “Made in the USA” on the package, but they may still be using foreign-sourced ingredients.

Use the same care and diligence in picking your pet’s treats as you do shopping for your own foods, and your pet will be happy & healthy.